Virginia’s Democratic Attorney General Jay Jones has fulfilled half of his community service hours as a result of a reckless driving conviction related to his Political Action Committee (PAC), according to recent reports.
As reported by the Richmond Times Dispatch, “The Court Records Show” that Jones was stopped by a state trooper in January 2022 while driving at 116 mph on I-64, which coincided with his opponent in the upcoming election, Republican candidate and current Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Under Virginia law, a conviction for reckless driving can lead to imprisonment for up to a year. However, in Jones’ case, it was modified to “deferred disposition.” This meant paying a fine of $1,500 and completing 1,000 hours of community service, half of which took place at his own PAC.
Virginia law stipulates that a reckless driving conviction can lead to imprisonment for a year. Jones’ legal team sought to delay the proceedings on four occasions, ultimately resulting in the district court agreeing to a “deferred disposition,” allowing him to avoid jail time in exchange for community service.
Jones paid a fine totaling $1,500.
Records from Jones’ legal team indicate that he has completed the 1,000 hours of community service in 2023. It should be noted that the PAC is registered with the Virginia Election Commission and is not classified as a non-profit charity.
In a statement, Jones acknowledged his “mistake in speeding” and expressed feeling “remorseful.”
“I took responsibility for my actions, paid the necessary fines, and completed my obligations to the court, all of which was acknowledged by the New Kent County Federal Law Office and the judge,” Jones remarked.
In a post on X, Miyares shared a video while driving on I-64, declaring that Jones had “pushed the needle to 116 mph.”
Miyares stated in his post, “Jay Jones was caught driving recklessly at 116 mph on I-64. Then he tried to suggest that work for his own PAC be counted as community service to evade prison. Jay Jones, even in his own estimation, is too lenient.”
The report additionally references a separate incident where Jones allegedly sent a text to Virginia House representative Carrie Coiner in 2022, expressing hypothetical wishes regarding the death of children of then-Representative Todd Gilbert.
Republicans, including Vice President J.D. V. V. V. V. and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, have criticized Jones, labeling his alleged “violent and disgusting rhetoric aimed at elected officials and their children” as disqualifying behavior.
